Let the experts monitor such things as the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the PMI (Purchasing Manager’s Index), the CPI (Consumer Purchasing Index) and the many other assorted statistical data sets.

As for me, my go to barometer of the US economy is the cost of a hot dog and soda at Costco. In that regard I am happy to report Richard Galanti, Costco CFO, recently announced the price remains at $1.50!

If Costco ever has to adjust that cost upwards you know the economy is in dire straights and it will be time to hunker down, tighten the hatches and scale back on major expenditures.

For now – life is good.